by Team WellJoy
“My dog Noodle loves to roam around the garden. It’s a tiny space, but we’ve planted some mint that she likes to sniff and she’s got her very own, designated digging spot. We just make sure she’s in before dusk comes and the coyotes show up…”
Backyards can be hugely beneficial for your pets. They’re never a substitute for regular exercise, but they can become an extension of the living space and an extra place for mental enrichment and emotional regulation. This is particularly so for older dogs, or those that find dog parks overwhelming.
In reality, your dog doesn’t need acres to roam – they need things to sniff, areas to explore and, importantly, an environment that’s safe.
Turning your backyard into a place your dog loves means thinking about a few key areas:
1. Plant life and soil
The safest options for dog-friendly yards tend to be natural grass and pet-safe turf (avoid dyed mulches, or cocoa mulch, which smells enticing to dogs but contains a compound that’s toxic). Dogs that love to dig might appreciate a designated ‘dirt zone’ for them to satisfy those natural urges.
If you’re looking for ground cover, avoid decorative rocks (some dogs can become very proficient rock chewers) and instead use smooth pea gravel as sparingly as possible.
Lastly, avoid any plant life that’s toxic to dogs: sago palms, oleander, foxglove and yew. And if you know there are any of those in your yard, it’s time to buy a shovel. For a reliable guide, we recommend the ASPCA’s extensive online encyclopedia, , which goes in-depth on which plants are toxic (and non-toxic!) and also has a poison hotline in case of emergency.
2. Smells
Dogs absolutely live for using their noses, and scent-based exploration can get their brain working in a slower and more thoughtful way to reduce stress. Consider planting herbs like rosemary, basil, thyme, sage or mint alongside grasses such as fescue and textured foliage. Ideally, you want mild, natural scents that are in raised beds or borders, to encourage sniffing rather than snacking.
3. Textures
You can keep the backyard interesting by adding in a range of textures to let your dog experience grass, soil and smooth stone underfoot (or should we say underpaw). And don’t forget to offer shady areas for those hot days when turf and dark surfaces can become very hot.
It’s good to remember that what looks good to humans doesn’t always feel good for dogs, who can struggle with smooth decking, polished concrete, wet tiles, algae-covered paving, or anything similarly slippery. If your backyard already has slick areas, you can add in some non-slip coating or outdoor mats to help.
Bear in mind that sharp gravel or crushed stone can also be uncomfortable for your pet to walk on.
4. Hygiene
Few dogs can resist the allure of a quick pee in their own backyard, and who can blame them? Setting up designated potty zones with pet-safe turf or compacted decomposed granite can help with drainage, especially if you’re working with a smaller outdoor space.
Poop is ideally scooped daily to reduce bacteria and the risk of parasites, and you’ll want your hose at the ready to wash down any particularly popular pee spots (remember, these will smell even stronger to your dog’s sensitive nose). For deeper cleaning, you can buy pet-safe outdoor cleaner or enzymatic cleaner to break down organic waste and odors.
5. Other animals
Depending on where you live, you might have a local population of other animals visiting your backyard. If you’re in the suburbs, that’s probably just the neighbor’s cat or a curious raccoon. For some of you, it might be coyotes…
Dogs are very sensitive to the smell of other animals, and it can make them feel more territorial or even anxious. This wildlife can also introduce parasites, fleas, ticks or pathogens that your dog then encounters.
Smaller dogs should never be unsupervised in backyards that receive visits from predatory wildlife, particularly at dawn and dusk when these animals are most active. Ensure there’s secure fencing – check regularly for escape routes – and keep food and water bowls safely inside, to help reduce uninvited guests.
6. A note for apartment-dwellers
Outdoor spaces work best when they’re calm sensory zones, not exercise areas. Even the tiniest balcony or terrace can enrich your dog’s life with the addition of a small herb garden, or even a chair for you to sit and watch the world go by together (one of the greatest pleasures of pet ownership).
And if you don’t have any extra outdoor space? No problem. Pets the world over live in apartments, condos and other homes without gardens or balconies. Their sense of wellbeing comes from the enrichment and human connection they get from their Loyalists – not the amount of square footage on offer.
We’re proud to say that all of WellJoy’s content is fact-checked and verified by a Pet Loyalist team, including a veterinarian trained in companion animal nutrition and a PhD board-certified companion animal nutritionist.